2 player works really well. Kind of gives a rebellion feel. It's still epic, but you feel like you are constantly trying to counter and out maneuver each other. I also agree about 3 and 4 players.
My first game I played with four at a game weekend with strangers, some who really wanted to try this game but turned out to be quite serious gamers (one with some serious AP issues). It lasted for four hours…. One had the faction who completes jobs easily and he ended up with a job that he could complete and use to ignore the coded results of the raids, which he could then complete again next turn - making him virtually unbeatable. The others bounced off hard as a result. I had a ton of fun just trying to steal neighboorhods and doing random things. This game is clearly meant to be played by friends who do not take things too seriously. 😂 I want to try again and just have a bunch of laughs - will need to find the right group though…. 😊
I really enjoy this game a lot. The production is solid. The card art is amazing. Played it solo to learn it and at two players. Solo was pretty good. Two players was fun but you may find the area control lacking at two - I did. I think three would be the sweet spot. Also, I think playing one card a turn instead of two may allow you to get more done in the game since you are not triggering events so often with such a small deck. Excited to try that strategy.
I 100% Agree! He explained a game that has an overwhelming amount of stuff going on with such clarity and pace, that it didn't seem too much to take in. Excellent job!
losing 50% of your money is a catch up mechanic. since its 50% of your individual cash, the player with the most is hurt more. since it hurts everyone, it feels like less of a catch up mechanic, which i think is its intention.
Actually, If you playing with newbies, you draft. Because the draft card is the line for them to follow. And then you can build your gang from 0. I found out that people, newbie or even some experienced players they seem didn’t know what to do with 3 bodyguards and lieutenant.
@@DTChrisYi I do think more games should use those lids to hold stuff during the game. I think it's pretty neat. Though we do have trouble with the cards staying up.
My wife and I are fairly new to the table top gaming world. I had a random thought that I bet there's a good mafia style game out there. Just did a quick search and found out about Scarface 1920. I'm pretty sure we're going to try to get this.
I agree, some jobs and cards feel way too random and punishing for some players. But so far I've enjoyed it immensely, and everyone I played with agreed.
Excellent, I definitely want to play this. I enjoyed Y'all's live play and this review just confirms that indeed I want this game. Great work gentlemen.
Just played this game at 3 players and I won by 1 point. I never put an agent on the board and simply spammed selling 3 alcohol for 19 points as much as possible. 2nd place player spent twice or three times longer than me with fancy turns and clever card combo play… to me, this shows the game’s weaknesses. I exploited a bone headed combo and he played a much smarter game and lost. I liked it other than some events and raids.
I just love this game. I feel the randomness is a perfect fit for this theme. If you look in movies, games etc.. No one knew what the feds would do. It is not always the big ones, but the ones who they can hit. And when they can hit the big one, it will be massive blow for the mobster. But I do understand, some people just don't like random events. But we are talking about 2 events cards only, that hits everyone. Atleast 3 raids, that is the random who gets hit, if not someone keeps triggering the raids, but that guy is in the red zone, to get a huge blow everytime. Who will get a hit on them? Sometimes it would just be a random target. And I was planning a job in the game, when it was happening, I didn't have the right associates in the discard pile, so it ended on a random hit. How you guys can ever be stuck, with nothing to do, i have no idea how that can happen. You will be able to recruit, get people out of jail, move people around, produce goods at your dealers. The event, where you won't get people out of jail, when you shuffle your deck, you will not get it to that point, that the jail is filled up with your guys, before you get them out. But sure, if it's your plan to get stuck, it is possible.
Played it few times and love the game, but it feels like balancing is not perfect, some raids are not logical and I killed a 2 persons game just by trading, I had 600$ in the end by absolutely passive and simple strategy. Would like to see killing, explosions and blood give you more end game points. Playing with 3 persons tonight and we will see how it goes.
Its just getting delivered to kickstarter backers now. They do have an upcoming expansion kickstarter for June 15th (no prepage yet) where you can get a copy of the core game as well.
June 15th they are having a new kickstarter for the expansion and you can get everything through there. I would just wait until that and not pay anything over retail.
2 player works really well. Kind of gives a rebellion feel. It's still epic, but you feel like you are constantly trying to counter and out maneuver each other. I also agree about 3 and 4 players.
My first game I played with four at a game weekend with strangers, some who really wanted to try this game but turned out to be quite serious gamers (one with some serious AP issues). It lasted for four hours…. One had the faction who completes jobs easily and he ended up with a job that he could complete and use to ignore the coded results of the raids, which he could then complete again next turn - making him virtually unbeatable. The others bounced off hard as a result. I had a ton of fun just trying to steal neighboorhods and doing random things. This game is clearly meant to be played by friends who do not take things too seriously. 😂 I want to try again and just have a bunch of laughs - will need to find the right group though…. 😊
I really enjoy this game a lot. The production is solid. The card art is amazing.
Played it solo to learn it and at two players. Solo was pretty good. Two players was fun but you may find the area control lacking at two - I did. I think three would be the sweet spot.
Also, I think playing one card a turn instead of two may allow you to get more done in the game since you are not triggering events so often with such a small deck. Excited to try that strategy.
I can’t wait to play this! My copy will be here on Friday.
Chris does such a great job explaining gameplay/rules! I hope he does even more in the future.
I 100% Agree! He explained a game that has an overwhelming amount of stuff going on with such clarity and pace, that it didn't seem too much to take in. Excellent job!
100%. As someone who owns this game and needed to teach it to my group, it is not an easy teach but Chris crushed it!
losing 50% of your money is a catch up mechanic. since its 50% of your individual cash, the player with the most is hurt more. since it hurts everyone, it feels like less of a catch up mechanic, which i think is its intention.
I feel like helping the players no in the lead is better than hurting everyone
Its a raid. It must hurt! But yes does feel like a catch up mechanic
This bounced off my group HARD. Was able to sell it the next day for no loss.
Pre game draft optional rule is amazing. If you are not playing with newbies, I would recommend always playing it.
Actually, If you playing with newbies, you draft. Because the draft card is the line for them to follow.
And then you can build your gang from 0.
I found out that people, newbie or even some experienced players they seem didn’t know what to do with 3 bodyguards and lieutenant.
I think this is a game to play for the experience and do not get too het up over the winner and swings. :)
Your gangs game tray's lid is an organizer for your stuff during the game.
Good point. I didn't use it for the overview to make the shot easier, but it's neat if you've got the space.
Yes, the trays are great. It makes it easier to set up the game. But it is a big game, it takes a lot of space.
@@adukovski Yep it's a table hog. we really like the lid as it keeps your player shield from falling over.
@@DTChrisYi I do think more games should use those lids to hold stuff during the game. I think it's pretty neat. Though we do have trouble with the cards staying up.
My wife and I are fairly new to the table top gaming world. I had a random thought that I bet there's a good mafia style game out there. Just did a quick search and found out about Scarface 1920. I'm pretty sure we're going to try to get this.
I agree, some jobs and cards feel way too random and punishing for some players. But so far I've enjoyed it immensely, and everyone I played with agreed.
Excellent, I definitely want to play this. I enjoyed Y'all's live play and this review just confirms that indeed I want this game. Great work gentlemen.
Love this game. The options and replayability are superb.
Just played this game at 3 players and I won by 1 point. I never put an agent on the board and simply spammed selling 3 alcohol for 19 points as much as possible. 2nd place player spent twice or three times longer than me with fancy turns and clever card combo play… to me, this shows the game’s weaknesses. I exploited a bone headed combo and he played a much smarter game and lost. I liked it other than some events and raids.
I just love this game. I feel the randomness is a perfect fit for this theme. If you look in movies, games etc.. No one knew what the feds would do. It is not always the big ones, but the ones who they can hit. And when they can hit the big one, it will be massive blow for the mobster.
But I do understand, some people just don't like random events.
But we are talking about 2 events cards only, that hits everyone. Atleast 3 raids, that is the random who gets hit, if not someone keeps triggering the raids, but that guy is in the red zone, to get a huge blow everytime.
Who will get a hit on them? Sometimes it would just be a random target.
And I was planning a job in the game, when it was happening, I didn't have the right associates in the discard pile, so it ended on a random hit.
How you guys can ever be stuck, with nothing to do, i have no idea how that can happen.
You will be able to recruit, get people out of jail, move people around, produce goods at your dealers.
The event, where you won't get people out of jail, when you shuffle your deck, you will not get it to that point, that the jail is filled up with your guys, before you get them out.
But sure, if it's your plan to get stuck, it is possible.
it has very beautiful and thematic components
Played it few times and love the game, but it feels like balancing is not perfect, some raids are not logical and I killed a 2 persons game just by trading, I had 600$ in the end by absolutely passive and simple strategy. Would like to see killing, explosions and blood give you more end game points. Playing with 3 persons tonight and we will see how it goes.
How to order it ? I went to their site and it took me to another site which said this will ship in December 2024
Any idea when or if this is going to retail as it looks great.
I assume this was the original not the new reprint that is out now on Gamefound?
Is this game released to the general public yet? I've been trying to find it in the UK, but so far haven't seen a sign of it.
Its just getting delivered to kickstarter backers now. They do have an upcoming expansion kickstarter for June 15th (no prepage yet) where you can get a copy of the core game as well.
Has anyone compared this to Eric lang's the godfather? I'm very interested yo see which people perfer.
Same here.
So much in this game is broken that nothing is broken lol I love it
That’s how I explain cosmic encounter to people
I really like the game, I have to try it solo... is it worth it?
If you don't mind more than average bot management and you LOVE the game, I think it's worth it.
@@nirszi thanks man i will try it!!!
So the game would have a 9-9.5 for sure if the game didn't beat you up so bad?
Sounds to me I should just stick to CMON Godfather
They're both pretty different experiences. Godfather is better for quicker and simpler play, Scarface is better for a longer, more strategic game.
@@Manny-M Right - that's what I got out of this video. I have enough longer game.
@@DumahAtreides yeah, in that case I would stick with Godfather (which is brillant btw, in my top 10)
@@Manny-M trust me, when you want more complex, Scarface will definitely a hit for you!
i love Godfather, but now I love Scarface even more!
@@binhhoang6115 I agree. I have them both.
amazing game!
Wild swings of randomness ... im out 😅
I hate it when they review a Kickstarter only game. It would be so much $$$ to get this.
June 15th they are having a new kickstarter for the expansion and you can get everything through there. I would just wait until that and not pay anything over retail.
So they should ignore it because there's 'only' 10,000 copies in existence... ?
Not about the game itself: is this me or is this another video where rules explaination takes place in a ... shady place? ;)
You beat me to it 😂
My favorite game. However, this game is not for the weak minded.